Pizza container

ABSTRACT

A container for pizza comprises a base, four edges, and a lid provided on one of said edges. The container is characterized in that it comprises a first support element and a second support element projecting respectively from a first edge and a second edge. The support elements have ends comprising connection means designed to allow temporary joining together of the two ends.

The present invention relates to a container in particular for pizza and more generally for eating food.

In particular, the present invention relates to a container for pizza made of paper or cardboard suitable for alimentary use.

It is known to use paper or cardboard containers for carrying or transporting pizza. The containers according to the prior art consist of a sheet suitably shaped and folded to form a box provided with a lid which may be opened and closed one or more times.

In the present description reference will be made to an “unfolded configuration” to indicate a container which is not folded so as to form a box with a mainly flat extension, and to a “folded configuration”, to indicate the configuration of the container closed in the form of a box and therefore in an operative condition.

The containers of this type are made by subjecting a sheet of paper or cardboard to a punching operation. The lines along which the folds must be formed are usually pre-cut, preferably perforated so that folding is made easy and guided.

The container is composed of a base along the perimeter of which four folded edges are provided. The folded edges are arranged in pairs parallel to each other, and each edge is perpendicular to the adjacent edge. The ends of at least three adjacent edges, i.e. the edge parts which are close to the vertices of the base, are connected together. The connection is performed by forming on one end of an edge a slit or a hole with a small diameter, for example of one centimeter, and, on the end of the edge adjacent thereto, a tongue which may folded so as to engage inside the slit or the hole.

The lid of the container, which has the same size as the base, is provided on one of these edges.

Therefore the container comprises a base and a lid which are connected by a common edge, and three edges projecting from the other three sides of the base.

With reference to the most commonly used cardboard containers, the three aforementioned edges, on which the lid is not provided, comprise a second edge, projecting from the first edge, suitable for being folded to as to lie substantially parallel to the plane of the lid and acting as a contact surface for said lid.

The pizza containers of this type are widely used and numerous variants exist, although they are not without certain drawbacks. As is known in fact, the container may be used as a “plate” off which the food may be eaten, in a wide range of conditions, both in a closed environment and in the open air.

The container must therefore be sufficiently solid to allow handling of the pizza so that it may be eaten and for example must be able to withstand incisions which may occur during cutting of the pizza.

The pizza contained inside its container is often used also as a ready-made snack or meal which can be eaten in the open air or while moving from one place to another.

In this case the pizza is normally eaten inside its box, for example while walking: the cardboard is supported in some way with one hand, while the other hand is used to hold a piece of pizza.

If one does not want to eat with one hand only, it is necessary to use a support surface on which the container may be rested.

The object of the present invention is therefore to solve at least partially the drawbacks of the prior art.

A first task of the present invention is to provide a container for ready-to-eat food, in particular for pizza, which allows a person to eat the food while standing in an erect position and having both hands free.

A further task of the present invention is to provide a container of the type indicated above which allows a person to dispense with a support surface on which the container is rested in order to eat the food.

The object and the tasks are achieved with a container for ready-to-eat food, in particular for pizza, according to Claim 1.

In the description below reference will be made to pizza as a specific example of ready-to-eat food, without this being intended to be limiting in any way.

In particular a container for pizza has been provided, said container comprising a base, four edges and a lid provided along one of said edges. The container is characterized in that it comprises a first suspension element and a second suspension element projecting respectively from a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge. The suspension elements have ends which comprise connection means designed to allow the temporary joining together of the two ends.

Further characteristics features and advantages of a container for pizza according to the present invention will become clear from the description below of a number of embodiments of the present invention which are provided solely by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, in schematic form, a container for pizza according to the present invention, in the unfolded condition;

FIG. 2 shows, in schematic form, an alternative embodiment of a container for pizza according to the present invention, in the unfolded condition;

FIG. 3 shows, in schematic form, a possible embodiment of a container for pizza according to the present invention, in the folded condition;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show in a possible folding sequence a part of the container according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows in schematic form the end of a container for pizza according to the present invention, in a first configuration for use;

FIG. 6 shows in schematic form the part shown in FIG. 5, in a second configuration for use; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 show in schematic form a possible embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows, denoted by the reference number 12, a container for pizza according to the present invention in a first unfolded configuration.

The container 12 comprises a substantially square-shaped base 14, four edges 16, 18, 20, 201 and a lid 22 provided on one of the edges 16, 18.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, folding guide lines 30, 32, 34, 36 are provided along the perimeter of the base 14. The folding guide lines 30, 32, 34, 36 may consist of perforated sections which are designed to favor folding of the edges 16, 18, 20, 201 relative to the base 14.

In the figures, for the purposes of easier reference, the lines along which a given part of the container may be folded are shown as broken lines, while the lines along which cuts are performed are shown as continuous lines.

The container 12 according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a first suspension element 24 and a second suspension element 241 projecting respectively from a first edge 20 and from a second edge 201 corresponding to two opposite sides of the base 14. The suspension elements 24, 241 have ends 26, 261 comprising connection means 28, 281 designed to allow temporary joining together of the two ends 26, 261.

As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the suspension elements 24, 241 may be provided on opposite and parallel edges 20, 201 in the vicinity of the edge 16 opposite the edge 18 on which the lid 22 is provided, as can be see in FIG. 1.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown for example in FIG. 2, the suspension elements 24, 241 may be provided on parallel edges 20, 201 in the vicinity of the edge 18 on which the lid 22 is provided.

In accordance with a first embodiment not shown in the attached figures, the suspension elements 24, 241 comprise a strip of cardboard which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the respective edge 20, 201 of the container.

In FIG. 1 the reference numbers 42, 421 indicate guide lies for folding the suspension elements 24, 241 relative to the associated edge 20, 201.

In the folded configuration, with reference for example to FIG. 3, the suspension elements 24, 241 are designed to be positioned around a user's neck so that the container is positioned at the desired height relative to the user's waist.

During use, the suspension elements, starting from a position in front of the user, are passed over the shoulders so as to rest on them and releasably connected behind the neck at the ends 26, 261.

The suspension element 24, 241 may have a rectangular and elongated form. Advantageously it may have a length of between 25 and 90 cm and width of between 1 and 10 cm.

The suspension elements 24, 241 may consist of a strip made of the same material as that of the container.

According to one possible embodiment of the present invention, each suspension element 24, 241 may comprise a reinforcing joining piece 38, 381 in the vicinity of the respective edge 20, 201, for increasing the area of the connection between suspension element 24, 241 and respective edge 20, 201.

In this way, during use of the container, and therefore when it is hung around the user's neck, it is possible to increase the bending resistance of the base 14 of the container, in view of the greater area of the connection between the suspension elements 24, 241 and the edges 20, 201.

From the figure it can be noted that, when the container is folded, the suspension elements 24, 241 extend substantially in directions perpendicular relative to the base 14 of the container.

FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the suspension elements 24, 241 in which the suspension elements 24, 241 have an L shape. The short sides of the L, which in the figure are indicated by the reference numbers 40, 401, are provided at the ends 26, 261. Advantageously the short sides 40, 401 of the L may be directed so as to be situated opposite the base 14.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the L-shaped suspension element 24, 241 may comprise a long part of the L which has a length of between 25 and 90 cm, and a short part of the L which has a length of between 5 and 40 cm. Advantageously the suspension element 24, 241 may have a constant length of between 1 and 10.

During use, the short sides 40, 401 of the L, which at the ends 26, 261 are designed to be positioned over the shoulders of the user and joined together by means of the connection means 28, 281 behind the user's neck.

As shown in FIG. 3, the suspension element 24, 241 may have an L shape, but with curved joining sections between the long side and short side of the L. One of the advantages of this type of solution is that of not having sharp edges which could create discomfort or even hurt the user or generate possible breakage points in the cardboard.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the container according to the present invention, shown in an unfolded configuration, while a possible sequence for folding the suspension elements 24, 241 of this box is shown in FIGS. 4A-4C.

The suspension elements 24, 241 comprise a first part 44, 441, a second part 46, 461 and a third part 48, 481.

Below reference will be made to FIGS. 4A and 4B which show only the suspension element 24, it being understood that the suspension element 241 has the same characteristic features which will now be described. For easy reference the main parts of the suspension element 241 are indicated in FIG. 2.

The first part 44 has one end connected to the edge 20 and, in a similar manner to the preceding examples, a connecting portion 38 may be provided between suspension element 24 and edge 20.

The second part 46, in the unfolded configuration, may be arranged alongside the first part as shown in FIG. 4A. The second part 46 is connected to the first part 44 at one of their ends 50, 52. In particular, the ends 50, 52 are connected together by means of a section of perforated cardboard 54, while the other portions of the first part and the second part are not connected together. The perforated section 54 may extend parallel to the direction of the length of the first part and the second part. In other words, the direction of the perforated section 54 may be perpendicular to the direction of the edge 20.

The second part 48 is provided with at least one second perforated section 58. The second perforated section 58 may be substantially perpendicular to the perforated section 54. Advantageously two perforated sections 58 may be provided. The function of the perforated sections 58 will be explained below.

The second end 56 of the second part 48 is connected to the third part 48. In the unfolded configuration, the third part 48 may be parallel to the edge 20. The sequence for folding the suspension element 24 is performed substantially in two steps:

-   -   a first fold along the perforated section 54 so that the first         part 46 and the second part 48 are substantially superimposed;         and     -   a second fold of the second part 48 relative to the first part         46 along one of the second perforated sections 58 so that the         second part 48 becomes an extension of the first part 48.

The sequence may also be reversed, for example the steps may be:

-   -   a first fold of the second part 48 relative to the first part 46         along one of the second perforated sections 58; and     -   a second fold along the perforated section 54 so that the second         part 48 becomes an extension of the first part 46.

As can be clearly seen in FIG. 4C, the suspension element 24 in the folded condition may advantageously assume an L-shaped configuration.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the length of the suspension element 24 may be adjustable depending on which second section 58 is used to perform the fold.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a possible embodiment of the connection means 28, 281 designed to allow temporary joining together of the two ends 26, 261 will now be described.

The connection means 28, 281 may comprise a first slit 60 and a second slit 601 provided respectively on the first end 26 and the second end 261.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the slits may be formed on opposite sides of the ends 26, 261.

FIG. 5 shows a possible operative configuration in which the two slits cooperate with each other: the first slit is inserted inside the second slit so that each slit receives at least partially an end part 26, 261.

Other embodiments of the connection elements, such as a hole in a first end and protuberance on the second end which may be engaged inside the hole, are however possible.

Advantageously, the connection means may be for example a connection obtained using VELCRO®, a snap-press button, etc.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising at least one holder 62 for a cup or can. The cup or can holder may comprise a flange 64 which may have a seat 66. The flange 64 may be provided on one of the edges 16, 18. Advantageously, the seat 66 may be a hole so that the bottom of the cup or the can rests on the base 14 of the container and, in the higher position, the cup or can is inserted inside the hole.

Advantageously, as can be seen in FIG. 8, breakage lines 80 may be provided so that the lid may be torn from the flanges 66 which remain in the closed position owing to engaging elements 82 designed to engage with respective elements on the edges 20, 201.

In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the lid 22 may be provided with at least two folding lines which are parallel to each other and arranged parallel to the side of the base on which the lid is provided. Advantageously, once the lid is folded along two lines, the part comprised between two folding lines may be used as surface for supporting an object or a container for a beverage. In accordance with a possible embodiment, a seat for a beverage container may be provided in a space between two folding lines. The seat may be realized as a hole formed by means of circular tear line.

From the description of the present invention the advantages which can be achieved compared to the pizza containers of the prior art are therefore clear.

The user may eat a pizza by fixing the suspension elements behind the neck so as to have the hands free for eating or for other activities.

With the container according to the present invention the pizza may be eaten while standing, without the need for a support surface on which to rest the container.

A further advantage of the present invention, and in particular of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, is that the suspension elements may be folded so as to remain inside the shape of the base 14 of the container and be used only if required.

The present invention may be used in particular in premises which do not have seating. The pizza may in fact be sold and eaten directly outside the premises.

Moreover, the container may be advantageously used with other food articles other than pizza. For example it may be used for sandwiches or the like.

Furthermore, the container may be used in refectories or canteens in order to support plates with food inside, beverages, etc. In this case, the conveyor belts used to convey the normal trays during the serving of meals may be replaced.

The person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific requirements, may make modifications to the embodiments described above and/or replace the parts described with equivalent parts, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

For example, different embodiments of the suspension elements are possible, namely they may be shaped in accordance with the user's body. The present invention may also be used for food other than pizza and may be advantageously used to support beverages. 

1. Container for eating food, for example pizza, comprising a base, four edges and a lid provided on one of said edges, a first suspension element and a second suspension element projecting respectively from a first edge and a second edge so as to extend upwards in the folded configuration of the container, said suspension elements having ends comprising connection means designed to allow the temporary joining together of the two ends.
 2. Container according to claim 1, made of cardboard or substantially rigid material suitable for alimentary use.
 3. Container according to claim 1, wherein the suspension elements are provided on parallel edges in the vicinity of the edge opposite to the edge on which the lid is provided.
 4. Container according to claim 1, wherein the suspension elements are provided on parallel edges in the vicinity of the edge on which the lid is provided.
 5. Container according to claim 1, wherein the suspension elements comprise a cardboard strip which extends in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the respective edge of the container.
 6. Container according to claim 1, wherein the suspension elements have an L shape, with short sides of the L provided at the ends.
 7. Container according to claim 6, wherein the suspension element has an L shape, with curved joining sections between long side and short side of the L.
 8. Container according to claim 1, wherein each suspension element comprises a first part, a second part and a third part wherein: the first part has one end connected to the edge, the second part is situated alongside the first part and connected to the first part at one of their ends by means of a perforated cardboard section which extends parallel to the direction of the length of the first part and the second part; at least one second perforated section being provided on the second part, a second end of the second part is connected to the third part which, in the unfolded configuration, is parallel to the edge.
 9. Container according to claim 8, wherein the suspension element in the folded condition assumes an L-shaped configuration.
 10. Container according to claim 8, comprising at least two perforated sections.
 11. Container according to claim 1, wherein the connection means consist of a first slit and a second slit which are provided on the first end and on the second end, respectively. 